WO2014097296A1 - Toilet fixture and method of using same - Google Patents

Toilet fixture and method of using same Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014097296A1
WO2014097296A1 PCT/IL2013/051039 IL2013051039W WO2014097296A1 WO 2014097296 A1 WO2014097296 A1 WO 2014097296A1 IL 2013051039 W IL2013051039 W IL 2013051039W WO 2014097296 A1 WO2014097296 A1 WO 2014097296A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
siphon
bowl
rotation
outlet
axis
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2013/051039
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Efraim DRORI
Original Assignee
Drori Efraim
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Drori Efraim filed Critical Drori Efraim
Publication of WO2014097296A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014097296A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D11/00—Other component parts of water-closets, e.g. noise-reducing means in the flushing system, flushing pipes mounted in the bowl, seals for the bowl outlet, devices preventing overflow of the bowl contents; devices forming a water seal in the bowl after flushing, devices eliminating obstructions in the bowl outlet or preventing backflow of water and excrements from the waterpipe
    • E03D11/18—Siphons

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to toilets, and in particular to flushing mechanisms thereof.
  • Toilet fixtures are common plumbing fixtures used to manage human waste, and dispose of it in a sanitary fashion to a municipal sewer system, or other appropriate system.
  • a typical toilet fixture comprises a bowl filled with water, into which human waste is deposited, a cistern filled with water, and an inverted U-shaped siphon connected between an outlet of the bowl, and a drain connected to the sewer system.
  • the water from the cistern is rapidly introduced into the bowl, forcing the water in the bowl, with its contents, through the siphon to the sewer system.
  • a toilet fixture comprising a cistern, a bowl, and a siphon configured to effect an emptying of the bowl of liquid contents thereof, the cistern being configured to store water and supply it to the bowl, the bowl comprising an outlet attached to the siphon, wherein the siphon comprises a spiral configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation, thereby facilitating the emptying.
  • the siphon may comprise a straight inlet portion having a longitudinal axis being coincident with the axis of rotation.
  • the inlet portion may be connected between the outlet of the bowl and a proximal end of the spiral.
  • the siphon may comprise a straight outlet portion, the outlet portion comprising a longitudinal axis disposed collinearly with the longitudinal axis of the inlet portion.
  • the outlet portion may be connected at a proximal end thereof to a distal end of the siphon, and is configured, at a distal end thereof, to be connected to a drain pipe.
  • the inlet section, siphon, and outlet section may be formed as a single integral piece.
  • the spiral may be formed about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation. For example, it may be tangent to spiral, or pass through the center of the spiral.
  • the axis of rotation may tilt downwardly from the outlet.
  • the toilet fixture may further comprise a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the siphon, thereby facilitating the emptying.
  • the rotation arrangement may be configured to be activated directly by a user, or to be activated by the flow of water from the cistern to the bowl.
  • a method for emptying liquid from the bowl of a toilet fixture comprises:
  • the toilet fixture comprising a cistern, a bowl, and a siphon
  • the cistern being configured to store water and supply it to the bowl
  • the bowl comprising an outlet attached to the siphon
  • the siphon comprises a spiral configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation
  • the rotating of the siphon may be in a direction opposite that of which the spiral is formed.
  • the siphon may comprise a straight inlet portion having a longitudinal axis being coincident with the axis of rotation.
  • the inlet portion may be connected between the outlet of the bowl and a proximal end of the spiral.
  • the siphon may comprise a straight outlet portion, the outlet portion comprising a longitudinal axis disposed collinearly with the longitudinal axis of the inlet portion.
  • the outlet portion may be connected at a proximal end thereof to a distal end of the siphon, and is configured, at a distal end thereof, to be connected to a drain pipe.
  • the inlet section, siphon, and outlet section may be formed as a single integral piece.
  • the spiral may be formed about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation. For example, it may be tangent to spiral, or pass through the center of the spiral.
  • the axis of rotation may tilt downwardly from the outlet.
  • the toilet fixture may further comprise a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the siphon, thereby facilitating the emptying.
  • the rotation arrangement may be configured to be activated directly by a user, or to be activated by the flow of water from the cistern to the bowl.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view of a toilet fixture according to the presently disclosed subject matter
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a siphon of the toilet illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 A is a front view of one example of the siphon illustrated in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 3B is a front view of another example of the siphon illustrated in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the siphon illustrated in Fig. 2 with a rotation arrangement thereof schematically illustrated.
  • a toilet fixture which is generally indicated at 10.
  • the toilet fixture 10 comprises a bowl 12 partially filled with water 14, into which human waste is deposited during use, a cistern 16, and a siphon 18.
  • a flushing mechanism (not illustrated in Fig. 1) may be provided in order to activate the cistern 16 and siphon 18 during flushing of the toilet fixture 10.
  • the bowl 12 is designed having any suitable shape. It comprises an outlet 20, located at, or as close to as is practicably feasible, the lowermost portion of the bowl 12.
  • the bowl may be formed with a substantially flat bottom 22, with the outlet being located adjacent a bottom edge of a sidewall 24 of the bowl 12.
  • the cistern 16 is configured to contain an amount of water sufficient to flush the bowl 12, i.e., to replace the water therein, as well as to optionally displace the human waste therein, during flushing.
  • it comprises the typical elements of a standard toilet cistern, such as a float, a flush valve, a filler valve, an overflow tube, etc. (not illustrated), which facilitate emptying water from the cistern 16 to the bowl 12, and introducing new water into the cistern after its contents have been emptied into the bowl.
  • a pipe (not illustrated) or other suitable arrangement to facilitate flow of liquid, is provided between the cistern 16 and the bowl 12 to carry water therebetween.
  • the siphon 18 is designed such that its use creates suction in the bowl 12, via its outlet 20. It connects between the bowl 12 at a proximal end 18a thereof, and a drain pipe 25 at a distal end 18b thereof, which connects to a municipal sewage system, septic tank, or the like. The water 14 in the bowl 12 typically continues through the siphon 18 to the drain pipe.
  • the siphon 18 comprises an inlet section 26, a spiral 28, and an outlet section 30. (broken lines in Fig. 2 separate the spiral 18 from the inlet and outlet sections 26, 28, for clarity purposes only.)
  • Each of the above-mentioned components of the siphon 18 is formed as a solid hollow pipe. They may be made of one or more of plastic (such as a high-density polyethylene), copper, brass, iron, stainless steel, or any other suitable material.
  • the inlet section 26 may be a straight pipe section, having a bowl- attachment coupler 32 (illustrated in Fig. 1) at a proximal end 26a thereof. It is attached to the spiral 28 at its distal end 26b. The attachment to the spiral may be accomplished via any suitable coupling element (not illustrated). Alternatively, the inlet section 26 and spiral 28 may be formed as a single integral piece.
  • the bowl-attachment coupler 32 is any suitable coupling mechanism which attaches the inlet section 26 of the siphon 18 to the outlet 20 of the bowl 12, while allowing rotation thereof. In particular, it facilitates free rotation of the inlet section 26 about a longitudinal central axis thereof.
  • the bowl-attachment coupler 32 provides a hermetic attachment between the inlet section 26 of the siphon 18 to the outlet 20 of the bowl 12, i.e., when the inlet section is attached to the bowl, liquid can flow therebetween without leakage.
  • one or more suitable seals or gaskets may be provided, as deemed necessary by the designer.
  • the outlet section 30 may be a straight pipe section, having a sewer- attachment coupler 34 at a distal end 30b thereof. It is attached to the spiral 28 at its proximal end 30a. The attachment to the spiral may be accomplished via any suitable coupling element (not illustrated). Alternatively, the outlet section 30 and spiral 28 may be formed as a single integral piece.
  • the sewer-attachment coupler 34 is any suitable coupling mechanism which attaches the outlet section 30 of the siphon 18, while allowing rotation thereof, to the drain pipe. In particular, it facilitates free rotation of the outlet section 30 about a longitudinal central axis X ou tiet thereof.
  • the sewer-attachment coupler 34 provides a hermetic attachment between the outlet section 30 of the siphon 18 to the sewage pipe.
  • one or more suitable seals or gaskets may be provided, as deemed necessary by the designer.
  • the outlet section 30 may be disposed such that its central axis Xoutiet is collinear with the central axis X in i et of the inlet section 26.
  • the siphon 18 may be formed such that the central axes
  • the spiral 28 is formed having a curved helical, corkscrew, or otherwise spiral shape, or any other shape which is suitable to facilitate its operation as will be described below.
  • the spiral shape may be formed about an axis which is parallel to the central axes X ou t t of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30.
  • the axis about which the spiral shape is formed may be non- parallel to the central axes Xinie h Xout t of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30.
  • the spiral 28 may comprise a single revolution between a proximal end 28a thereof, and a distal end 28b thereof. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, the spiral 28 may be tangent to the central axes X out t of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30 of the siphon 18. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 3B, the central axes Xiniet, outut of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30 of the siphon 18 may pass through the center of the spiral 28. According to this example, the proximal and distal ends 28a, 28b of the spiral 28 have smaller radii that the portion of the spiral therebetween.
  • the siphon 18 is disposed such that the central axes Xfaiet, Xoutiet of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30 thereof are tilted at least slightly downwardly from the outlet 20 of the bowl 12.
  • the siphon 18 is disposed such that the highest portion of the spiral 28 is above the level of the water 14 within the bowl 12, as indicated by line W.
  • the area of the siphon 18 above line ⁇ is filled with air.
  • a user rotates the siphon 18, e.g., using a mechanism provided therefor, in a clockwise direction, i.e., in the direction opposite that of the spiral 28.
  • this movement causes the most proximal portion thereof to move slightly downwardly in relation to the portion of the siphon 18 which is immediately distal thereto.
  • each part of the spiral 28 moves slightly downwardly in relation to the portion thereof which is immediately distal thereto. This causes the water in the spiral 28 of the siphon 18 to move distally therealong as the water in each portion "falls" to distally-adjacent portions.
  • an effective odor barrier should be maintained therewithin at all times. This may be accomplished, for example, by ensuring that the bottommost portion of the siphon 18 is at all times filled with water, thereby preventing passage of air therethrough. This may be done by maintaining an amount of water 14 in the bowl 12 of the toilet fixture 10 which is equal to the amount of water within the siphon 18,
  • an arrangement may be provided to provide water from the cistern 16 to the bowl 12 when the siphon 18 is rotated. This may be accomplished, e.g., by providing a single arrangement which performs both actions simultaneously or near-simultaneously, or by providing an arrangement which rotates the siphon using the energy of the water flowing from the cistern to the bowl.
  • a rotation arrangement which is generally indicated at 38, is provided.
  • the rotation arrangement 38 comprises a gearbox 40 and a drive element 42.
  • the gearbox 40 is configured for interacting with an external mechanism (not illustrated), thereby activating the drive element 42.
  • the drive element 42 is configured for interacting with the siphon 18 to rotate it. It may comprise, e.g., a gear element configured to rotate the siphon 18, or an element such as a belt or ring which at least partially wraps around the siphon.
  • the external mechanism which interacts with the gearbox 40 to cause it to activate the drive element 42 may be a dedicated mechanism directly activated by a user, or it may be operationally connected to the cistern 16 in order to rotate the siphon 18 in coordination with the flow of water from the cistern to the bowl 12.
  • rotation arrangement 38 is described above generally, with only one non-limiting example of its most basic elements being described. In practice, and suitable arrangement to rotate the siphon 18 may be provided, with a structure similar or different from the one described above.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)

Abstract

A toilet fixture is provided, comprising a cistern, a bowl, and a siphon. The siphon is configured to effect an emptying of the bowl of liquid contents thereof. The cistern is configured to store water and supply it to the bowl. The bowl comprises an outlet attached to the siphon. The siphon comprises a spiral configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation, thereby facilitating the emptying.

Description

TOILET FIXTURE AND METHOD OF USING SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to toilets, and in particular to flushing mechanisms thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Toilet fixtures are common plumbing fixtures used to manage human waste, and dispose of it in a sanitary fashion to a municipal sewer system, or other appropriate system. A typical toilet fixture comprises a bowl filled with water, into which human waste is deposited, a cistern filled with water, and an inverted U-shaped siphon connected between an outlet of the bowl, and a drain connected to the sewer system. In order to dispose of human waste within the bowl, the water from the cistern is rapidly introduced into the bowl, forcing the water in the bowl, with its contents, through the siphon to the sewer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a toilet fixture comprising a cistern, a bowl, and a siphon configured to effect an emptying of the bowl of liquid contents thereof, the cistern being configured to store water and supply it to the bowl, the bowl comprising an outlet attached to the siphon, wherein the siphon comprises a spiral configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation, thereby facilitating the emptying.
The siphon may comprise a straight inlet portion having a longitudinal axis being coincident with the axis of rotation. The inlet portion may be connected between the outlet of the bowl and a proximal end of the spiral. The siphon may comprise a straight outlet portion, the outlet portion comprising a longitudinal axis disposed collinearly with the longitudinal axis of the inlet portion. The outlet portion may be connected at a proximal end thereof to a distal end of the siphon, and is configured, at a distal end thereof, to be connected to a drain pipe.
The inlet section, siphon, and outlet section may be formed as a single integral piece.
The spiral may be formed about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation. For example, it may be tangent to spiral, or pass through the center of the spiral. The axis of rotation may tilt downwardly from the outlet.
The toilet fixture may further comprise a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the siphon, thereby facilitating the emptying. The rotation arrangement may be configured to be activated directly by a user, or to be activated by the flow of water from the cistern to the bowl.
According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a method for emptying liquid from the bowl of a toilet fixture, the method comprises:
• providing the toilet fixture comprising a cistern, a bowl, and a siphon, the cistern being configured to store water and supply it to the bowl, the bowl comprising an outlet attached to the siphon, and the siphon comprises a spiral configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation;
• providing water in the bowl so as to at least cover the outlet; and
• rotating the siphon, thereby causing water to flow out of the bowl via the outlet.
The rotating of the siphon may be in a direction opposite that of which the spiral is formed.
The siphon may comprise a straight inlet portion having a longitudinal axis being coincident with the axis of rotation. The inlet portion may be connected between the outlet of the bowl and a proximal end of the spiral.
The siphon may comprise a straight outlet portion, the outlet portion comprising a longitudinal axis disposed collinearly with the longitudinal axis of the inlet portion. The outlet portion may be connected at a proximal end thereof to a distal end of the siphon, and is configured, at a distal end thereof, to be connected to a drain pipe.
The inlet section, siphon, and outlet section may be formed as a single integral piece.
The spiral may be formed about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation. For example, it may be tangent to spiral, or pass through the center of the spiral. The axis of rotation may tilt downwardly from the outlet.
The toilet fixture may further comprise a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the siphon, thereby facilitating the emptying. The rotation arrangement may be configured to be activated directly by a user, or to be activated by the flow of water from the cistern to the bowl.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to understand the presently disclosed subject matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice, an embodiment will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a toilet fixture according to the presently disclosed subject matter;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a siphon of the toilet illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 A is a front view of one example of the siphon illustrated in Fig. 2;
Fig. 3B is a front view of another example of the siphon illustrated in Fig. 2; and
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the siphon illustrated in Fig. 2 with a rotation arrangement thereof schematically illustrated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As illustrated in figure 1, there is provided a toilet fixture, which is generally indicated at 10. The toilet fixture 10 comprises a bowl 12 partially filled with water 14, into which human waste is deposited during use, a cistern 16, and a siphon 18. In addition, a flushing mechanism (not illustrated in Fig. 1) may be provided in order to activate the cistern 16 and siphon 18 during flushing of the toilet fixture 10.
The bowl 12 is designed having any suitable shape. It comprises an outlet 20, located at, or as close to as is practicably feasible, the lowermost portion of the bowl 12. For example, the bowl may be formed with a substantially flat bottom 22, with the outlet being located adjacent a bottom edge of a sidewall 24 of the bowl 12.
The cistern 16 is configured to contain an amount of water sufficient to flush the bowl 12, i.e., to replace the water therein, as well as to optionally displace the human waste therein, during flushing. As such, it comprises the typical elements of a standard toilet cistern, such as a float, a flush valve, a filler valve, an overflow tube, etc. (not illustrated), which facilitate emptying water from the cistern 16 to the bowl 12, and introducing new water into the cistern after its contents have been emptied into the bowl. Additionally, a pipe (not illustrated) or other suitable arrangement to facilitate flow of liquid, is provided between the cistern 16 and the bowl 12 to carry water therebetween.
The siphon 18 is designed such that its use creates suction in the bowl 12, via its outlet 20. It connects between the bowl 12 at a proximal end 18a thereof, and a drain pipe 25 at a distal end 18b thereof, which connects to a municipal sewage system, septic tank, or the like. The water 14 in the bowl 12 typically continues through the siphon 18 to the drain pipe.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the siphon 18 comprises an inlet section 26, a spiral 28, and an outlet section 30. (broken lines in Fig. 2 separate the spiral 18 from the inlet and outlet sections 26, 28, for clarity purposes only.) Each of the above-mentioned components of the siphon 18 is formed as a solid hollow pipe. They may be made of one or more of plastic (such as a high-density polyethylene), copper, brass, iron, stainless steel, or any other suitable material.
The inlet section 26 may be a straight pipe section, having a bowl- attachment coupler 32 (illustrated in Fig. 1) at a proximal end 26a thereof. It is attached to the spiral 28 at its distal end 26b. The attachment to the spiral may be accomplished via any suitable coupling element (not illustrated). Alternatively, the inlet section 26 and spiral 28 may be formed as a single integral piece.
The bowl-attachment coupler 32 is any suitable coupling mechanism which attaches the inlet section 26 of the siphon 18 to the outlet 20 of the bowl 12, while allowing rotation thereof. In particular, it facilitates free rotation of the inlet section 26 about a longitudinal central axis thereof. In addition, the bowl-attachment coupler 32 provides a hermetic attachment between the inlet section 26 of the siphon 18 to the outlet 20 of the bowl 12, i.e., when the inlet section is attached to the bowl, liquid can flow therebetween without leakage. As such, one or more suitable seals or gaskets (not shown) may be provided, as deemed necessary by the designer.
The outlet section 30 may be a straight pipe section, having a sewer- attachment coupler 34 at a distal end 30b thereof. It is attached to the spiral 28 at its proximal end 30a. The attachment to the spiral may be accomplished via any suitable coupling element (not illustrated). Alternatively, the outlet section 30 and spiral 28 may be formed as a single integral piece.
The sewer-attachment coupler 34 is any suitable coupling mechanism which attaches the outlet section 30 of the siphon 18, while allowing rotation thereof, to the drain pipe. In particular, it facilitates free rotation of the outlet section 30 about a longitudinal central axis Xoutiet thereof. In addition, the sewer-attachment coupler 34 provides a hermetic attachment between the outlet section 30 of the siphon 18 to the sewage pipe. As such, one or more suitable seals or gaskets (not shown) may be provided, as deemed necessary by the designer.
The outlet section 30 may be disposed such that its central axis Xoutiet is collinear with the central axis Xiniet of the inlet section 26. However, it will be appreciated that the siphon 18 may be formed such that the central axes
Xoutiet of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30 are not coincident with each other. In such a case, the sewer-attachment coupler 34 is designed to accommodate the movement of the outlet section 30 during rotation of the siphon 18, The spiral 28 is formed having a curved helical, corkscrew, or otherwise spiral shape, or any other shape which is suitable to facilitate its operation as will be described below. The spiral shape may be formed about an axis which is parallel to the central axes Xout t of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30. Alternatively, the axis about which the spiral shape is formed may be non- parallel to the central axes Xinieh Xout t of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30.
The spiral 28 may comprise a single revolution between a proximal end 28a thereof, and a distal end 28b thereof. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, the spiral 28 may be tangent to the central axes Xout t of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30 of the siphon 18. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 3B, the central axes Xiniet, outut of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30 of the siphon 18 may pass through the center of the spiral 28. According to this example, the proximal and distal ends 28a, 28b of the spiral 28 have smaller radii that the portion of the spiral therebetween.
The siphon 18 is disposed such that the central axes Xfaiet, Xoutiet of the inlet and outlet sections 26, 30 thereof are tilted at least slightly downwardly from the outlet 20 of the bowl 12. In addition, reverting to Fig. 1, the siphon 18 is disposed such that the highest portion of the spiral 28 is above the level of the water 14 within the bowl 12, as indicated by line W. Typically, the area of the siphon 18 above line ^is filled with air.
For the purposes of the following discussion, it will be assumed that the revolution of the spiral 28 is counterclockwise, i.e., that as one follows the siphon 18 along its length from the inlet section 26 to the outlet section 30, he moves is a counterclockwise direction along the spiral.
During operation of the siphon 18, there is typically human or other waste in the water 14 in the bowl 12. A user rotates the siphon 18, e.g., using a mechanism provided therefor, in a clockwise direction, i.e., in the direction opposite that of the spiral 28. As the spiral 28 advances in a counterclockwise direction, this movement causes the most proximal portion thereof to move slightly downwardly in relation to the portion of the siphon 18 which is immediately distal thereto. In addition, each part of the spiral 28 moves slightly downwardly in relation to the portion thereof which is immediately distal thereto. This causes the water in the spiral 28 of the siphon 18 to move distally therealong as the water in each portion "falls" to distally-adjacent portions. This movement causes the siphon 18 to empty of water, which results in a suction at the outlet 20 of the bowl as the water in the siphon is replaced by the water (and waste material) 14 in the bowl 12. Thus, by rotation the siphon 18, a flushing of the toilet is effected.
In order to prevent offensive smells from the sewer from being sensed via the siphon 18, an effective odor barrier should be maintained therewithin at all times. This may be accomplished, for example, by ensuring that the bottommost portion of the siphon 18 is at all times filled with water, thereby preventing passage of air therethrough. This may be done by maintaining an amount of water 14 in the bowl 12 of the toilet fixture 10 which is equal to the amount of water within the siphon 18,
It will be appreciated that if the siphon 18 is formed such that the revolution of the spiral 28 is clockwise, the above takes place with a counterclockwise revolution thereof.
In addition, it will be appreciated that a designer may wish to replace the water 14 in the bowl 12 during or just prior to the flushing operation described above. Thus, an arrangement may be provided to provide water from the cistern 16 to the bowl 12 when the siphon 18 is rotated. This may be accomplished, e.g., by providing a single arrangement which performs both actions simultaneously or near-simultaneously, or by providing an arrangement which rotates the siphon using the energy of the water flowing from the cistern to the bowl.
For example, as illustrated in Fig. 4, a rotation arrangement, which is generally indicated at 38, is provided. The rotation arrangement 38 comprises a gearbox 40 and a drive element 42. The gearbox 40 is configured for interacting with an external mechanism (not illustrated), thereby activating the drive element 42. The drive element 42 is configured for interacting with the siphon 18 to rotate it. It may comprise, e.g., a gear element configured to rotate the siphon 18, or an element such as a belt or ring which at least partially wraps around the siphon.
The external mechanism which interacts with the gearbox 40 to cause it to activate the drive element 42 may be a dedicated mechanism directly activated by a user, or it may be operationally connected to the cistern 16 in order to rotate the siphon 18 in coordination with the flow of water from the cistern to the bowl 12.
It will be appreciated that the rotation arrangement 38 is described above generally, with only one non-limiting example of its most basic elements being described. In practice, and suitable arrangement to rotate the siphon 18 may be provided, with a structure similar or different from the one described above.
Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A toilet fixture comprising a cistern, a bowl, and a siphon configured to effect an emptying of the bowl of liquid contents thereof, said cistern being configured to store water and supply it to the bowl, said bowl comprising an outlet attached to said siphon, wherein said siphon comprises a spiral configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation, thereby facilitating said emptying.
2. The toilet fixture according to claim 1, wherein said siphon comprises a straight inlet portion having a longitudinal axis being coincident with said axis of rotation.
3. The toilet fixture according to claim 2, wherein said inlet portion is connected between said outlet of the bowl and a proximal end of said spiral.
4. The toilet fixture according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein said siphon comprises a straight outlet portion, said outlet portion comprising a longitudinal axis disposed collinearly with the longitudinal axis of said inlet portion.
5. The toilet fixture according to claim 4, wherein said outlet portion is connected at a proximal end thereof to a distal end of the siphon, and is configured, at a distal end thereof, to be connected to a drain pipe.
6. The toilet fixture according to any one of claims 2 through 5, wherein said inlet section, siphon, and outlet section formed as a single integral piece.
7. The toilet fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said spiral is formed about an axis which is parallel to said axis of rotation.
8. The toilet fixture according to claim 7, wherein said axis of rotation is tangent to spiral.
9. The toilet fixture according to claim 7, wherein said axis of rotation passes through the center of said spiral.
10. The toilet fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said axis of rotation tilts downwardly from said outlet.
11. The toilet fixture according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the siphon, thereby facilitating said emptying.
12. The toilet fixture according to claim 11, wherein said rotation arrangement is configured to be activated directly by a user.
13. The toilet fixture according to claim 11, wherein said rotation arrangement is configured to be activated by the flow of water from said cistern to said bowl.
14. A method for emptying liquid from the bowl of a toilet fixture, said method comprises:
• providing said toilet fixture comprising a cistern, a bowl, and a siphon, said cistern being configured to store water and supply it to the bowl, said bowl comprising an outlet attached to said siphon, and said siphon comprises a spiral configured for being rotated about an axis of rotation;
• providing water in said bowl so as to at least cover the outlet; and
• rotating said siphon, thereby causing water to flow out of said bowl via the outlet.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said rotating of the siphon is in a direction opposite that of which the spiral is formed.
16. The method according to any one of claims 14 and 15, wherein said siphon comprises a straight inlet portion having a longitudinal axis being coincident with said axis of rotation.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said inlet portion is connected between said outlet of the bowl and a proximal end of said spiral.
18. The method according to any one of claims 16 and 17, wherein said siphon comprises a straight outlet portion, said outlet portion comprising a longitudinal axis disposed coUinearly with the longitudinal axis of said inlet portion.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said outlet portion is connected at a proximal end thereof to a distal end of the siphon, and is configured, at a distal end thereof, to be connected to a drain pipe.
20. The method according to any one of claims 16 through 19, wherein said inlet section, siphon, and outlet section formed as a single integral piece.
21. The method according to any one of claims 14 through 20, wherein said spiral is formed about an axis which is parallel to said axis of rotation.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said axis of rotation is tangent to spiral.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said axis of rotation passes through the center of said spiral.
24. The method according to any one of claims 14 through 23, wherein said axis of rotation tilts downwardly from said outlet.
25. The method according to any one of claims 14 through 24, further comprising a rotation arrangement configured to rotate the siphon, thereby facilitating said emptying.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said rotation arrangement is configured to be activated directly by a user.
27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said rotation arrangement is configured to be activated by the flow of water from said cistern to said bowl.
PCT/IL2013/051039 2012-12-19 2013-12-18 Toilet fixture and method of using same WO2014097296A1 (en)

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Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4321698A1 (en) * 2022-08-09 2024-02-14 Kohler Co. Efficient flush toilet

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GB2370586A (en) * 2000-10-06 2002-07-03 Janovations Ltd Flush toilet with moveable trap
CN201190327Y (en) * 2008-03-12 2009-02-04 阳林 Water saving trap
CN101691775A (en) * 2009-09-08 2010-04-07 叶传华 Water-saving closestool

Patent Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2370586A (en) * 2000-10-06 2002-07-03 Janovations Ltd Flush toilet with moveable trap
CN201190327Y (en) * 2008-03-12 2009-02-04 阳林 Water saving trap
CN101691775A (en) * 2009-09-08 2010-04-07 叶传华 Water-saving closestool

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4321698A1 (en) * 2022-08-09 2024-02-14 Kohler Co. Efficient flush toilet

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